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Keeping Teen Workers Safe on Heavy Machinery

For a young worker, a job on the farm can be rewarding, but also hazardous. Farms are busy places with large animals and heavy machinery.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, between 60 and 70 teens die from job-related injuries each year. To help minimize the dangers to young workers, the group offered up the following tips for teens to avoid heavy machinery hazards:

Don’t use equipment you haven’t been trained to use
Use earplugs or earmuffs in high noise work areas
Use safety glasses or goggles when exposed to flying particles
Wear appropriate protective clothing, gloves and shoes for the job
Do not ride in the cargo area of pickup trucks
Use guards and safeguard devices on machinery
Never reach into, or perform maintenance on, any equipment that has not been properly shut down

Do you have teens working on your farm? What kind of on-the-job training do you provide to keep them safe during their tasks?

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania College of Technology

From the Source: Take Time to Heal After a Farm Accident Tractor Safety Guidelines for Your Child

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